Imaging module with optical elements of one-piece construction

Abstract

An imaging module for imaging, and a reader for and a method of electro-optically reading, a target, include an aiming assembly having an aiming laser for generating an aiming laser beam, an aiming element for collimating the laser beam, and a pattern-generating element for optically modifying the collimated laser beam to generate a visible aiming light pattern on the target, and an illuminating assembly having an illuminating light source for generating illumination light, and an illuminating element for uniformly illuminating the target with the illumination light. A solid-state imager has an array of image sensors for capturing return illumination light from the target. The pattern-generating element is molded of a one-piece construction with at least one of the aiming and illuminating elements.

1 . An imaging module for imaging a target, comprising:
 an aiming assembly including an aiming laser for generating an aiming laser beam, an aiming element for collimating the laser beam, and a pattern-generating element for optically modifying the collimated laser beam to generate a visible aiming light pattern on the target;   an illuminating assembly including an illuminating light source for generating illumination light, and an illuminating element for uniformly illuminating the target with the illumination light;   a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return illumination light from the target; and   the pattern-generating element being molded of a one-piece construction with at least one of the aiming and illuminating elements.   
     
     
         2 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming element is an aiming lens. 
     
     
         3 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern-generating element is a diffractive optical element. 
     
     
         4 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern-generating element is a refractive optical element. 
     
     
         5 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming lens assembly includes a carrier for the pattern-generating element, and wherein the pattern-generating element is molded of a one-piece construction with the carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming lens assembly includes an aperture stop for the collimated laser beam, and wherein the pattern-generating element is molded of a one-piece construction with the aperture stop. 
     
     
         7 . The module of  claim 1 , and a printed circuit board on which the imager is mounted, and wherein the one-piece construction is a plate lying in a plane generally parallel to the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         8 . The module of  claim 7 , wherein the aiming assembly includes an additional aiming element and an additional pattern-generating element, wherein the illuminating assembly includes an additional illuminating element, and wherein the plate is of one-piece with all the pattern-generating, aiming and illuminating elements. 
     
     
         9 . The module of  claim 1 , and a generally parallelepiped support for supporting the assemblies and the imager, wherein the support includes a printed circuit board on which the imager is mounted at a rear side of the support, and wherein the one-piece construction is a plate lying in a plane generally parallel to the printed circuit board at a front side of the support. 
     
     
         10 . An imaging module for imaging a target, comprising:
 aiming means including an aiming laser for generating an aiming laser beam, an aiming element for collimating the laser beam, and a pattern-generating element for optically modifying the collimated laser beam to generate a visible aiming light pattern on the target;   illuminating means including an illuminating light source for generating illumination light, and an illuminating element for uniformly illuminating the target with the illumination light;   means for capturing return illumination light from the target with a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors; and   the pattern-generating element being molded of a one-piece construction with at least one of the aiming and illuminating elements.   
     
     
         11 . An imaging reader for electro-optically reading a target, comprising:
 a housing; and   an imaging module supported by the housing, the module including an aiming assembly including an aiming laser for generating an aiming laser beam, an aiming element for collimating the laser beam, and a pattern-generating element for optically modifying the collimated laser beam to generate a visible aiming light pattern on the target; an illuminating assembly including an illuminating light source for generating illumination light, and an illuminating element for uniformly illuminating the target with the illumination light; a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return illumination light from the target; and the pattern-generating element being molded of a one-piece construction with at least one of the aiming and illuminating elements.   
     
     
         12 . A method of imaging a target, comprising the steps of:
 generating an aiming laser beam, collimating the aiming laser beam with an aiming element, and optically modifying the collimated laser beam with a pattern-generating element to generate a visible aiming light pattern on the target;   generating illumination light, and uniformly illuminating the target with the illumination light with an illuminating element;   capturing return illumination light from the target with a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors; and   molding the pattern-generating element of a one-piece construction with at least one of the aiming and illuminating elements.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 ; and the step of configuring the aiming element as an aiming lens. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 ; and the step of configuring the pattern-generating element as a diffractive optical element. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 ; and the step of configuring the pattern-generating element as a refractive optical element. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 ; and the step of carrying the pattern-generating element in a carrier, and wherein the molding step is performed by molding the pattern-generating element of one-piece with the carrier. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 ; and the step of providing an aperture stop for the collimated laser beam, and wherein the molding step is performed by molding the pattern-generating element of one-piece with the aperture stop. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 ; and the step of mounting the imager on a printed circuit board, and wherein the molding step is performed by molding the one-piece construction as a plate lying in a plane generally parallel to the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 ; and the step of providing an additional aiming element, an additional pattern-generating element, and an additional illuminating element, and wherein the molding step is performed by molding the plate of one-piece with all the pattern-generating, aiming and illuminating elements. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 ; and the step of providing a generally parallelepiped support; and the step of mounting the imager on a printed circuit board at a rear side of the support, and wherein the molding step is performed by molding a plate lying in a plane generally parallel to the printed circuit board at a front side of the support.